Padgate

Padgate was a village on the edge of Warrington, England, and today it is a large residential part of the town. During World War II it had a small RAF base. This RAF station will be well-remembered by thousands of young men who were selected for RAF National Service and on this site received their first taste of military discipline, ill-fitting uniforms and a severe haircut. It has an unmanned railway station on the Manchester-Liverpool line served by the local stopping service. Its parish church, Christ Church (1838), is a listed building.

In the centre of Padgate, next to the train line, is a large area of land and playing fields known as Bennett's Recreation Ground or simply Bennett's Rec. This is the home of the Woolston Rovers rugby league side. Following a fire at the club house/ bar, the club struggled to survive. Recently a new changing room facility has been built on the site of the former club house and the club is starting to rebuild. This is also home to Greenhalls Padgate St Oswalds reserves football team who are currently competing in the Mid Cheshire Football League reserve division. Greenhalls Padgate St Oswalds first team play at Tetley Walkers club, Long Lane, Warrington.

The base is now a campus to the University of Chester.